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This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Colonial Land Investment Company for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify an existing commercial facility located on the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia.
The existing dock consists of an approximately 45ft. x 550ft. pile supported concrete deck with two enclosed corners (25,814sq.ft. total) with one 28ft. x 100ft. (2,800sq.ft.) access bridge from the upland to the northern terminus (the southern access bridge is landward of CMPA jurisdiction). Upstream and downstream of the facility are two (2) mooring dolphins (359sq.ft. each) connected to the main dock by 6ft. wide concrete walkways (6ft. x 120ft and 6ft. x 92ft., totaling 1,272sq.ft.). An existing loader/conveyor system used for loading dry bulk goods onto moored vessels extends from the upland, seaward over the dock. Existing mooring hardware including fenders and bollards are also located along the seaward face of the facility. The existing bank stabilization, made up of rip-rap, spans the entire shoreline landward of the existing wharf and totals approximately 900ft. x 12ft (10,800 sq.ft.). The existing facility extends approximately 65ft. into the waterway from MLW where the waterway is approximately 1,200ft. wide (MLW to MLW). Total impacts for the existing structure total 41,404sq.ft. (0.95 acre).
The applicant proposes to replace the existing fendering/mooring system to accommodate larger ships. A 41ft. x 117ft. (4,797sq.ft.) deck extension will be constructed on the downstream side of the dock. The new deck will support new rails to facilitate stowage of the unloader, vehicular access and maintenance for the facility. The proposed deck and rail improvements will displace the existing downstream mooring dolphin walkway resulting in a decrease of approximately 535sq.ft. of structure. A new irregularly shaped access platform will be constructed on the landward side of the proposed deck extension for access to the existing downstream mooring dolphin and will impact approximately 380sq.ft. To support off-loading operations, a new elevated jetty conveyor will be installed along the landward side of the concrete deck and will require the installation of (6) 3ft. x 10ft. pile supported caps (180sq.ft.) and two (2) 3ft. x 11ft. (66sq.ft.) pile supported caps that connect to the existing bent caps located on the landward side edge beam. The jetty conveyor will be elevated above the elevation of the deck. On the downstream side of the northern access trestle, a 1,700sq.ft. irregularly shaped deck extension will be added to support the conveyor and to provide access to and maintenance of the facility equipment. The existing fender system will also be replaced with new fenders capable of handling larger bulk ships. In all, the new dock structures total 7,123sq.ft. (0.16 acre). As proposed, existing and proposed impacts to the State’s jurisdiction will total approximately 47,992 square feet (1.10 acre) of coastal marshlands.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the public interest and that no feasible alternative sites exist. Impacts to coastal marshlands must be minimal in size. In passing upon the application for permit, the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee shall consider the public interest: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful obstruction to or alteration of the natural flow of navigational water within the affected area will arise as a result of the proposal; (2) Whether or not unreasonably harmful or increased erosion, shoaling of channels, or stagnant areas of water will be created; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicants proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs, clams, or other marine life, wildlife, or other resources, including but not limited to water and oxygen supply.
A detailed public notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Marsh & Shore Permits”
Please provide this office with substantive, site-specific comments as to why the proposed work should or should not proceed. Comments and questions concerning this proposed project should be submitted in writing and be submitted by the close of business on March 9, 2020 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.
Click Here For Project Application
Click Here For Project Description
Click Here For Project Drawings
